US4890069A - Gallium arsenide power monolithic microwave integrated circuit - Google Patents
Gallium arsenide power monolithic microwave integrated circuit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4890069A US4890069A US07/161,650 US16165088A US4890069A US 4890069 A US4890069 A US 4890069A US 16165088 A US16165088 A US 16165088A US 4890069 A US4890069 A US 4890069A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- field effect
- effect transistor
- terminal
- coupled
- source
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 230000005669 field effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 9
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 9
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 9
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003071 parasitic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03F—AMPLIFIERS
- H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
- H03F3/189—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers
- H03F3/19—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers with semiconductor devices only
- H03F3/193—High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers with semiconductor devices only with field-effect devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2223/00—Details relating to semiconductor or other solid state devices covered by the group H01L23/00
- H01L2223/58—Structural electrical arrangements for semiconductor devices not otherwise provided for
- H01L2223/64—Impedance arrangements
- H01L2223/66—High-frequency adaptations
- H01L2223/6644—Packaging aspects of high-frequency amplifiers
- H01L2223/665—Bias feed arrangements
Definitions
- This invention relates to radio frequency (RF) power modules and, in particular, to integrated circuit preamplifiers.
- Preamplifiers are a class of amplifiers commonly used in radio communication.
- a MMIC preamplifier should be comprised of gallium arsenide (GaAs), since GaAS devices, unlike silicon (Si) devices, have a natural insulating property which prevents loss of some of the RF signal.
- GaAS MMIC would suffer some loss of the RF signal which would severely decrease operational efficiency of the radio.
- GaAS MMIC preamplifiers are preferable, designers have been unable to achieve required amplification in them for RF applications. Only 8-12 GHz amplifiers are presently available. Devices which work in the 300 MHz-1.5 GHz range are required to be useful for many applications since currently 450 MHz and 900 MHz frequencies are the most commonly used frequencies in cellular radio communications
- a three stage monolithic integrated circuit wherein the first stage utilizes a common gate field effect transistor to provide a matched path for a received signal, the second stage comprises a common source field effect transistor to provide class A gain, and the third stage uses an open drain field effect transistor to provide a class B amplified output.
- FIG. 1 represents an electrical circuit diagram of a GaAS power MMIC preamplifier chip and package embodying the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a graphical analysis of the magnitude of the gain (in decibels) over a frequency range of 0-1.5 GHz for the circuit represented in FIG. 1.
- Semiconductor chip 20 contains a monolithic integrated circuit consisting of three stages. The three stages are: matching circuit 30, class A gain stage 40, and class B gain stage 50.
- the main component of matching circuit 30 is a common gate N-channel field effect transistor (FET) 34.
- FET 34 receives a signal from input pin 15.
- a grounded resistor 32 Also coupled to the source of FET 34 is a grounded resistor 32.
- the drain of FET 34 is coupled to an inductor 36. Inductor 36 forms a path to pin 12 on package 10.
- the drain of FET 34 is also coupled along an independent path to class A gain circuit 40.
- the main component of class A gain circuit 40 is a N-channel FET 44. Coupled between the gate of FET 44 and the drain of FET 34 is a blocking capacitor 41. A grounded bias resistor 42 is coupled between the gate of FET 44 and blocking capacitor 41. The source of FET 44 is coupled to a parallel combination of resistor 47 and capacitor 48. Both resistor 47 and capacitor 48 are also connected to ground. Pin 16 on package 10 is also coupled to the parallel combination of resistor 47 and capacitor 48. An inductor 46 is coupled between the drain of FET 44 and pin 11. The drain of FET 44 is also coupled along the independent path to class B gain circuit 50.
- the main component of class B gain circuit 50 is open drain FET 54. Coupled between the gate of FET 54 and the drain of FET 44 is a blocking capacitor 51. A bias resistor 52 having a first terminal coupled between the gate of FET 54 and blocking capacitor 51, and a second terminal coupled to pin 13 is also utilized in class B gain circuit 50.
- the source of FET 54 is coupled to both a grounded capacitor 58 and pin 19.
- the open drain of FET 54 is coupled to output pin 17.
- inductors 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68 represent the parasitic inductances due to wire bonding between semiconductor chip package 10 and semiconductor chip 20.
- semiconductor chip 20 is most efficient when it is comprised of gallium arsenide and FETS 34, 44, and 54 are metal semiconductor field effect transistors (MESFETs).
- bias node 77 The drain of FET 34 and the drain of FET 44 are coupled to a bias node 77 via inductor 72 and inductor 71, respectively.
- Bias node 77 is coupled to a grounded capacitor 74, and is also capable of receiving a bias voltage supply. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while in FIG. 1, a common bias node and grounded capacitor are utilized, separate bias nodes and grounded capacitors could be used for FET 34 and FET 44.
- a signal is received at input pin 15 on package 10, passes through inductor 61, and enters matching circuit 30.
- matching circuit 30 is called such is that when the gate of FET 34 is grounded, there is very little reflection of the input signal. This is true over a broad frequency range.
- bias resistor 32 When bias node 77 is connected to a bias voltage supply (typically 5-7 volts), bias resistor 32 is used to set up a potential difference between the gate and the source of FET 34. This allows FET 34 to turn on. Typically, bias resistor 32 will be 180 ohms and the current flow through it will be 10 mA. An RF signal will also pass from the drain of FET 34 to class A gain circuit 40. Inductors 36, 62, and 72 operate as a choke to prevent loss of the RF signal from the drain of FET 34 to bias node 77.
- blocking capacitor 41 The purpose of blocking capacitor 41 is to insure that none of the dc bias current is permitted to go from the drain of FET 34 to the gate of FET 44.
- the bias voltage supply connected to bias node 77 also is applied to FET 44. This creates a dc current flow through resistor 47.
- Bias resistor 42 helps create a bias which allows FET 44 to turn on.
- Capacitor 48 operates as an open circuit at dc, but is used to help set the AC load line. Since FET 44 is on, it operates to magnify the RF signal. The RF signal is then passed from the drain of FET 44 to class B gain circuit 50.
- Inductors 46, 63, and 71 operate as a choke to prevent loss of the RF signal emanating from the drain of FET 44.
- Bypass capacitor 74 is utilized to eliminate any RF signal that does get through to bias node 77, thus ensuring an RF ground at node 77.
- Blocking capacitor 51 serves the identical purpose of blocking capacitor 41 by preventing any dc bias current from going from the drain of FET 44 to the gate of FET 54.
- Bias resistor 52 is used to bias the gate of FET 54 by applying a source to pin 13.
- Capacitor 58 is once again used to set the AC load line, and the RF output is passed through the open drain of FET 54 to output pin 17.
- the open drain of FET 54 allows for great flexibility since it can be connected to a number of other circuits. It is most common for the drain of FET 54 to be connected to a power FET and then an antenna.
- the class B gain circuit 50 allows for an efficiency reading of approximately 80 percent compared to an approximate 47 percent efficiency rating of a class A gain circuit.
- Class B gain circuit 50 also allows idling at a low 0-10 mA. This means that when no RF signal is applied to input pin 15, the amplifier of chip 20 will draw minimal current, thus saving battery lifetime.
- the gain from input Pin 15 to output Pin 17 is shown in FIG. 2 for frequencies between 0 and 1.5 GHz.
- the magnitude of the gain in decibels is higher than the desired 25 db at the commonly used frequencies of 450 MHz and 900 MHz.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Amplifiers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (4)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/161,650 US4890069A (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-02-29 | Gallium arsenide power monolithic microwave integrated circuit |
JP1045556A JPH01254013A (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-02-28 | Gallium arsenite monolithic microwave integrated circuit preamplifier |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/161,650 US4890069A (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-02-29 | Gallium arsenide power monolithic microwave integrated circuit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4890069A true US4890069A (en) | 1989-12-26 |
Family
ID=22582125
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/161,650 Expired - Lifetime US4890069A (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-02-29 | Gallium arsenide power monolithic microwave integrated circuit |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US4890069A (en) |
JP (1) | JPH01254013A (en) |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4994761A (en) * | 1989-11-06 | 1991-02-19 | Motorola Inc. | VHF power amplifier |
US5050235A (en) * | 1989-01-26 | 1991-09-17 | Nec Corporation | Transmitter using gallium arsenide FET with means for controlling gate bias voltage of the FET for suppressing undesired signal at a start condition of the transmitter |
US5159287A (en) * | 1990-07-16 | 1992-10-27 | Fujitsu Limited | High efficiency rf power amplifier |
US5164683A (en) * | 1991-10-21 | 1992-11-17 | Motorola, Inc. | RF amplifier assembly |
US5410745A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1995-04-25 | Motorola, Inc. | Detector and video amplifier |
US5933057A (en) * | 1996-06-11 | 1999-08-03 | Tchamov; Nikolay | Low noise amplifier |
US6002860A (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 1999-12-14 | Nortel Networks Corporation | High frequency noise and impedance matched integrated circuits |
US6466094B2 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2002-10-15 | Ericsson Inc. | Gain and bandwidth enhancement for RF power amplifier package |
US6628170B2 (en) * | 1998-06-04 | 2003-09-30 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Low noise amplifier |
US20050014471A1 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2005-01-20 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmission and reception of signals |
US20050026571A1 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-02-03 | Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation | Asymmetric, optimized common-source bi-directional amplifier |
US20060214289A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-09-28 | Nitronex Corporation | Gallium nitride material-based monolithic microwave integrated circuits |
US20060255861A1 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2006-11-16 | Hideyuki Ono | Semiconductor integrated circuit device |
US20070229168A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-04 | Ma Yin T | Wideband high frequency chokes |
US20120157011A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-21 | Stmicroelectronics S.A. | Electronic switch and communication device including such a switch |
US20160013760A1 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2016-01-14 | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | Circuits and devices related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4390851A (en) * | 1980-11-25 | 1983-06-28 | Rockwell International Corporation | Monolithic microwave amplifier having active impedance matching |
-
1988
- 1988-02-29 US US07/161,650 patent/US4890069A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1989
- 1989-02-28 JP JP1045556A patent/JPH01254013A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4390851A (en) * | 1980-11-25 | 1983-06-28 | Rockwell International Corporation | Monolithic microwave amplifier having active impedance matching |
Cited By (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5050235A (en) * | 1989-01-26 | 1991-09-17 | Nec Corporation | Transmitter using gallium arsenide FET with means for controlling gate bias voltage of the FET for suppressing undesired signal at a start condition of the transmitter |
US4994761A (en) * | 1989-11-06 | 1991-02-19 | Motorola Inc. | VHF power amplifier |
US5159287A (en) * | 1990-07-16 | 1992-10-27 | Fujitsu Limited | High efficiency rf power amplifier |
US5164683A (en) * | 1991-10-21 | 1992-11-17 | Motorola, Inc. | RF amplifier assembly |
US5410745A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1995-04-25 | Motorola, Inc. | Detector and video amplifier |
US5933057A (en) * | 1996-06-11 | 1999-08-03 | Tchamov; Nikolay | Low noise amplifier |
US6002860A (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 1999-12-14 | Nortel Networks Corporation | High frequency noise and impedance matched integrated circuits |
US6628170B2 (en) * | 1998-06-04 | 2003-09-30 | Analog Devices, Inc. | Low noise amplifier |
US6466094B2 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2002-10-15 | Ericsson Inc. | Gain and bandwidth enhancement for RF power amplifier package |
US20050014471A1 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2005-01-20 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmission and reception of signals |
US8107893B2 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2012-01-31 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method and apparatus for transmission and reception of signals |
US20050026571A1 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-02-03 | Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation | Asymmetric, optimized common-source bi-directional amplifier |
EP1505726A1 (en) * | 2003-08-01 | 2005-02-09 | Northrop Grumman Space & Missions Systems Corp. | Asymmetric, optimized common-source bi-directional amplifier |
US7239852B2 (en) | 2003-08-01 | 2007-07-03 | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Asymmetric, optimized common-source bi-directional amplifier |
US20060214289A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-09-28 | Nitronex Corporation | Gallium nitride material-based monolithic microwave integrated circuits |
US7411457B2 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2008-08-12 | Renesas Technology Corp. | Power amplifying semiconductor integrated circuit device for use in communication equipment |
US7868699B2 (en) | 2005-05-13 | 2011-01-11 | Renesas Electronics Corporation | Semiconductor integrated circuit device |
US20060255861A1 (en) * | 2005-05-13 | 2006-11-16 | Hideyuki Ono | Semiconductor integrated circuit device |
US20070229168A1 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-04 | Ma Yin T | Wideband high frequency chokes |
US7423490B2 (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2008-09-09 | Rockwell Scientific Licensing, Llc | Wideband high frequency chokes |
US20120157011A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-21 | Stmicroelectronics S.A. | Electronic switch and communication device including such a switch |
US8981882B2 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2015-03-17 | Stmicroelectronics Sa | Electronic switch and communication device including such a switch |
US20160013760A1 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2016-01-14 | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | Circuits and devices related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers |
US9787258B2 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2017-10-10 | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | Circuits and devices related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers |
US20180034424A1 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2018-02-01 | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | Methods related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers |
US10374559B2 (en) * | 2014-07-14 | 2019-08-06 | Skyworks Solutions, Inc. | Methods related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH01254013A (en) | 1989-10-11 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MOTOROLA, INC., SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS A CORP. OF DE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:DUFFALO, JOSEPH M.;LAZAR, STEVEN C. JR;REEL/FRAME:004893/0460;SIGNING DATES FROM 19880215 TO 19880223 Owner name: MOTOROLA, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DUFFALO, JOSEPH M.;LAZAR, STEVEN C. JR;SIGNING DATES FROM 19880215 TO 19880223;REEL/FRAME:004893/0460 |
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Owner name: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOTOROLA, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015698/0657 Effective date: 20040404 Owner name: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.,TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MOTOROLA, INC.;REEL/FRAME:015698/0657 Effective date: 20040404 |
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Owner name: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC., TEXAS Free format text: PATENT RELEASE;ASSIGNOR:CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:037354/0225 Effective date: 20151207 |